Ketchum, Idaho to Missoula, Montana 9/21/2013

SEPTEMBER 21, 2013 (Saturday)

None of us slept well last night. The neighbors above us were moving furniture or doing something weird until early morning, Michael had acid reflux (trying to get out of packing the car again but it’s not going to work), and just generally we don’t sleep well on the night before moving.

Also, yesterday we called Worldmark in Coeur D’Alene to make sure about our reservations. We had called a few months ago and they were confirmed but I just wanted to check since we bought it on Ebay months ago.  Anyway, they could not find us anywhere in their system.   Michael and I were freaking out and thinking we had been scammed. Around 8:00 PM we went down to the Tamarack Lodge and did some research about when we bought the item, when we first confirmed the reservation, and the email address of the person who sold it to us. We sent emails and got nothing. We were a little worried. 

When we got back to our “home,” we received an email from the seller saying she was sorry and would straighten it out. Around midnight we got the call saying she had put it in as Michael, Keller – not Keller, Michael. We called Worldmark again this morning and it was fine. What a relief. Still a rough night and we’re looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow and having a short drive.

We got up around 8:30 AM, had leftover eggs, cottage cheese, and cheese for breakfast, along with some tea. After that we packed the car and headed out by 9:30 AM. We dropped the keys off at the Tamarack Lodge and went in search of gas. We finally did find some in Ketchum in an abandoned looking gas station but the pumps were working.

Then it was all about the drive and being on the road. It was about an hour to Stanley but the drive was so beautiful over the Sawtooth Mountain Range. The Galena peak was almost 10,000 feet. Gorgeous. We followed the Salmon River, then the Bitterroot for about two hundred miles. We took Highway 75 and then it turned to Highway 93 into Missoula. By the time we reached Missoula, I was in sensory overload with all the beautiful scenery.  The total drive to Missoula was approximately 300 miles (7 hours), but we stopped in Stanley for snacks ($6.00) and to go to the bathroom, and at some overlooks to see the gorgeous scenery.

 

 

 

 

We were going to check into the America Best Value Inn but it looked too seedy, so we drove a little ways and saw a Red Lion. The Red Lion was approximately $90.00 a night, includes breakfast. The room is comfortable and clean, and it feels so much better than the other one.

Shortly after getting into the room, we went to dinner. The girl at the front desk of Red Lion told us about El Cazador Mexican Food. Was quite good and cost approximately $47.00 for dinner, drinks, and tip. Apparently there was a big college game with the Montana Grizzlies. Everyone is wearing their purple in support. Fun.

Michael is going to call our nephew, Peter, in a little bit to see if he can join us for lunch tomorrow before we head to Coeur D’Alene. He goes to college here at the University of Montana. We haven’t seen him in awhile and would love a short visit.

That was our day.  Hope yours was wonderful!